Matt Bomer recently opened up about a significant moment in his career: almost landing the iconic role of Superman. The 46-year-old actor, acclaimed for his roles in “White Collar” and “American Horror Story,” revealed that he was on the verge of donning the famous cape for a Warner Bros. movie in the early 2000s. However, the opportunity slipped away, and he believes his sexuality played a role in the decision.
In a candid conversation on THR’s Awards Chatter podcast, Matt reflected on the audition process for the role of Superman in the film “Superman: Flyby,” penned by renowned writer J.J. Abrams. “I went in on a cattle call for Superman, and then it turned into a one-month audition experience where I was auditioning again and again and again,” Matt recounted. “It looked like I was the director’s choice for the role.”
Despite being in prime position for the coveted role, Matt’s excitement was short-lived. “This is a very early iteration of Superman written by J.J. Abrams, called Superman: Flyby, I think is what it was called, and it never came to light,” he explained.
When asked about the reason behind losing the role, Matt didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room. “Yeah, that’s my understanding. That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you,” he admitted. “How, and why, and who, I don’t know, but yeah, that’s my understanding.”
“Superman: Flyby” was eventually shelved by Warner Bros., leading to Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” hitting the screens in 2006 with Brandon Routh donning the iconic red and blue suit.
Matt publicly came out as gay when he graciously thanked his husband, Simon Hall, and their three sons during an acceptance speech for his Steve Chase Humanitarian Award. His openness about his sexuality has since inspired many and reinforced the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.
